I am looking for a scail 4-6-0 wood burner that looks like it is from the west in the 1870's to the 1880's. With or with out sound and the abilty to run with out DCC any sugestions? Thanks!
In the RTR HO market your choice for a 4-6-0 is quite limited. Bachmann has two in their Spectrum steam line.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=156
You could back date this engine by changing the stack to the more common balloon stack, you would of course have to change the tender by adding wood as the fuel.
Bachmann also has a 4-4-0 in their Spectrum line.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1698
This engine by chance has a wood fuel option for the tender.
I have the Spectrum 4-4-0 and 4-6-0. The stacks would have to be changed, turbo generators removed, power reverse removed, headlights changed. To oil headlights. They have diamond plate steel at the pilot which did not come out until around 1900 I believe. Also, many locos photos I have seen have the air pump on the engineers side of the loco, not the fireman's side.
Below is a link to what one person did to back date his Spectrum 4-6-0. He modified the valve gear to Stephenson. The 4-6-0 comes with Walschaert valve gear. The 4-6-0 comes in high driver and low driver. The low driver looks a little better for 1880s. The boilers sit the same height above the frame. The low drivers give the illusion of "low boiler".
http://www.cwrail.com/index.html
This is the unconverted 4-6-0. Looks quite modern.
It looks like a decent attempt but remember, it is your railroads. Also, it may be difficult to find the Spectrum 4-6-0 without DCC/sound. I bought mine over a year ago DCC ready. but I have not seen one lately like this, although I have not been looking.
Another possibility is the Roundhouse steamers are sometimes touted as late 1880s. I have the 4-4-0, 2-6-0 and 2-8-0. Below is a photo of my Spectrum 4-4-0 and Roundhouse 4-4-0. All three types of Roundhouse locos all have the same size boiler. Drivers and headlights differ.
Left side Spectrum 4-4-0, 61 inch drivers. Right side Roundhouse 4-4-0, 66 inch drivers.
The Roundhouse boilers sit a little high for the 1880s.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
You could try to track down (no pun intended) an old Mantua 4-6-0. It's based on the Sierra RR engine that's been used in movies and TV, like "Petticoat Junction", "High Noon", "Back to The Future 3" and many others. It was actually built around 1890 IIRC.
Here is a link with a little info about the Mantua 4-6-0. The cab is a little oversize though. I have the Tyco 4-6-0, purchased in 1972 and I think Mantua absorbed the 4-6-0 from Tyco. Not sure but the Mantua and Tyco parts look the same.
http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/article.php?article=2606
At Jay's Trains I have seen some old time MDC locomtives 2-6-0 RTR for about $120 and in kit form for about $80.00. They have can motors and generaly better gear reduction than the older Mantuas.
I guess I would try a search for mantua 4-6-0. Never know what might pop up, possibly on ebay.
Your mileage may vary.
Be advised the new Roundhouse locos have tender pickups on all 8 wheels and pickups on the drivers.
The Spectrum's have tender pickups on four wheels and the drivers.
Both are supposed to come with Tsunami technology decoders that operate on DC and DCC. Limited sound control on DC but still nice. Sound is becoming a popular seller, at least with the manufactures.
Might be tough to find them DCC ready, no decoder and ready for DC control. When both came out, I managed to find them DCC ready.
In the past, I have found DCC ready under $100.00. Ebay is also a possibility.
Again, your mileage may vary.